As of late Saturday, five of the eight properties damaged by the water main break had been designated safe to access, and residents were given the option of returning to those homes, DWP officials said.
The water main break was initially reported at 5 a.m. Friday at 55th Street and Towne Avenue, causing flooding and a large sinkhole, damaging homes and leaving some vehicles fully or partially buried in mud.
Initial test results are expected as early as Sunday.
Services were also available at the Fred Roberts Recreation Center.
“The shutdown process for the 24-inch diameter pipe had to be done carefully so as to not damage other pipes in the area,” according to an LADWP statement.
“Water system crews and water quality staff have determined that due to loss of pressure in the ruptured pipe that it must be disinfected in order to ensure the highest water quality standards.
As a result, crews have distributed bottled water to area residents this (Friday) evening as well as placed large water stations in the area to assist residents with household water and sanitary needs until water service can be safely restored.” Sections of 55th and 56th streets were closed to traffic between Main Street and Avalon Boulevard.
Firefighters assisted some residents in getting out of their homes past the water that flooded their driveways and yards.
“The leak has caused property damage in the area, which will be assessed by on-site claim agents,” the DWP said.
Those whose vehicles were towed were directed to call US Towing at (323) 870-7100.

NEWS WORTH NOTING: New Sonoma County groundwater agencies plan first meetings, public hearings; LADWP honored as leading water utility in the world at 2017 Global Water Summit; Western Municipal Water District and the City of Riverside strike historic wat.
The hearings are one item on the agendas of the first meetings of the Santa Rosa Plain, Sonoma Valley and Petaluma Valley groundwater sustainability agencies (GSAs).
These agencies were formed to meet the requirements of California’s historic Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which went into effect in 2015.
The public hearings will include an opportunity for members of the public to speak.
(See chart for entities and the individuals appointed to represent each entity on the Board of Directors of each new groundwater sustainability agency.)
Each GSA board will create an advisory committee to provide input and feedback on policies, programs and projects, including groundwater sustainability plans.
The honor was given to LADWP along with five other water utilities as new members of the Leading Utilities of the World (LUOW), which aims to promote innovation within utilities and communication between utilities.
Western Municipal Water District and the City of Riverside Strike Historic Water Deal Water agreement brings benefits to all customers From Western Municipal Water District: A long-term water agreement to share surplus local water resources and pipeline capacity to benefit the customers of both water providers was approved at yesterday’s Riverside City Council meeting.
“It’s all about public agencies working together for the benefit of the region’s water customers – residents and businesses alike.” Water efficiency is up and water demand is down for both agencies because of the profound drought response by customers throughout the city.
Whether it’s partnering in water supply projects, cohesive communication to help our customers save water, or selling our surplus supply, the goal is to help our customers and keep rates as low as possible.” In addition to the sale of surplus water for 10 years, the agreement also permits Western to use the Riverside system at times when capacity is available for the next 20 years.

You’ve no doubt heard it before: "L.A.’s water is terrible."
Usually, it’s a transplant throwing the shade, complaining that the water in their [insert home city] is "so much cleaner."
Well, now there’s a little science to throw back at all the L.A. water haters: tap water in Los Angeles is just as clean and healthy — if not better—than bottled water, or filtered water, says the LADWP.
The department’s annual Drinking Water Quality report has been released, detailing the city’s tap water.
What’s more, at half a cent per gallon, it’s a whole lot cheaper, too.
The improved taste and quality of our fair city’s drinking water is a result of a change in how we treat it.
Let’s back up: this is not to say all of Los Angeles’ water is zapped by UV light, or currently goes un-chlorinated or un-ammoniated.
We can say, however, that a second UV light treatment plant will be opening up in Granada Hills by 2020, further changing the ratio.
"LADWP’s major efforts to comply with these regulations include addressing its three remaining open reservoirs, enhancing the city’s water supply disinfection system with UV treatment, and changing the distribution system disinfectant from chlorine to chloramine."
Both chlorine and chloramine are approved disinfectants for use in drinking water by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Health."